called me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "called me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used whenever you want to indicate that someone has spoken to you, for example: My mother called me to say she was coming to town.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You called me".

The New York Times

"He called me nuts.

The New York Times

Laurie called me.

The New York Times

He called me".

The New Yorker

It's what called me.

The Economist

A minister called me".

The Guardian

He called me up.

The New Yorker

They called me Dorito.

The New York Times

He called me about it.

The New York Times

Someone else called me up".

Independent

Several friends called me, worried.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "called me" to clearly indicate someone initiated a phone conversation with you. It's straightforward and widely understood.

Common error

Be precise about who initiated the call. Ensure your sentence clearly indicates the other person "called me", not that you called them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "called me" functions as a verb phrase, where 'called' is the verb indicating the action of phoning and 'me' is the object, referring to the speaker. Ludwig's examples show its common use in narratives to describe events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "called me" is a grammatically sound and very common way to express that someone contacted you via telephone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity about who initiated the call. Consider alternatives like "contacted me" or "reached out to me" for more formal settings. Pay attention to the nuances to effectively convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contacted me

Replaces "called" with a more formal synonym for making contact.

gave me a call

Alternative phrasing using "gave" and "call".

rang me

Uses British English equivalent of "called".

phoned me up

Adds emphasis to the phone call.

got in touch with me

Replaces direct calling with a more general "getting in touch".

reached out to me

Emphasizes the effort made to contact.

had me on the phone

Focuses on the state of being engaged in a phone conversation.

summoned me

Replaces "called" with a formal synonym for being requested to come.

beckoned me

Replaces "called" with a verb that indicate physical summons, such as waving or nodding.

emailed me

Specifies a different method of communication other than calling.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "called me" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "contacted me" or "reached out to me". These options can be more suitable in professional contexts.

Is there a difference between "called me" and "phoned me"?

The phrases "called me" and "phoned me" are essentially interchangeable, though "phoned me" might sound slightly more formal or British. Use whichever fits the tone of your writing.

What does it mean when someone says "they'll call me"?

When someone says "they'll call me", it means they intend to contact you by telephone at a later time. It's a common expression indicating a future phone conversation.

Is "called to me" grammatically correct and how does it differ from "called me"?

"Called to me" implies someone shouted or spoke loudly in your direction, while "called me" implies a phone call. Although, "called to me" can also indicate a more abstract sense of being drawn or compelled toward something, as in "That frontier "called me"".